Many of this year's fringe parties have been founded on benevolent issues.

The group failed to win any support and was largely considered a fringe party.

In fact, small fringe parties can grab disproportionate power under such circumstances.

April 23, 2011: The fringe parties leaders' debate takes place.

But with a first past the post system it is more difficult for a fringe party to gain seats.

I hope the fringe parties will not gain any further power and will disappear again in the next few years.

Imagine a two-person race (plus the usual zoo of fringe third parties).

The fringe parties only managed to win about 2% of the popular vote.

One effect that is already apparent has been the battering of fringe parties on both right and left.

Maybe the fringe parties are folding because far-right is now mainstream.